URC R6: Cardiff brings an end to Stormers’ 15-game unbeaten run
The Stormers were beaten 30-24 at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday in a game that marked the end of their phenomenal 15-match unbeaten run. For the second successive week, John Dobson’s men were forced to play in wet weather, but were this time undone by a Rhys Priestland-inspired Cardiff with the veteran flyhalf executing two superb cross-kicks to set up tries for the hosts.
The Capetonians’ driving maul worked to good effect, earning them two scores, but it wasn’t enough in the end. Dai Young’s side are now sixth overall with four wins from six and top the Welsh Shield heading into the seventh round. The Stormers are fourth.
A late surge by the Bulls saw them power past a resolute Benetton outfit 44-22 at the Stadio di Monigo in a scoreline that greatly flattered the visitors. Marco Bortolami’s boys were right in it, with the Bulls leading by just a single point with less than nine-minutes remaining, but three-tries late on blew up the scoreboard and condemned the Italian side to a thorough beating in the end. They are ninth overall, with the Bulls up to third.
In the weekend’s other results, Connacht claimed just their second win of the campaign thanks to a 36-14 defeat of Scarlets in Galway, Edinburgh won 38-19 at Zebre and Dragons moved up to 13th with a 32-25 victory over Ospreys at Rodney Parade. In arguably the biggest clash of the round, a magnificent Leinster defensive effort earned them a 27-13 win over Munster at the Aviva; their ninth victory in the last 10 head-to-heads.
Prem R7: Sarries only unbeaten side remaining
Super sub Alex Goode kicked a last-gasp penalty as Saracens sealed a thrilling 22-20 victory over Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday. The result sees them stay in first on the standings and means they remain the only unbeaten side left in the comp this season, with five bonus-point wins from six matches. Chiefs are nine-points back in third.
Elsewhere, Gloucester edged London Irish 22-21 at the Gtech, Bath earned their first win of the season thanks to a 27-14 defeat of Saints at The Rec and Harlequins claimed a big 29-13 victory at the AJ Bell over second-placed Sale Sharks.
Top 14 R8: La Rochelle lose ground at Toulouse
Toulouse beat La Rochelle 26-17 at the Stade Ernest-Wallon on Saturday to put them nine-points clear at the top of the standings and see Ronan O’Gara’s men drop to third. A lot will still happen in the championship with plenty of rugby still to be played this season, but there’s no question that Les Rouge et Noir will be pleased with their efforts so far.
In other results, Racing 92 beat Montpellier 38-31 in Paris thanks to 18-points from Finn Russell, hosts Bayonne saw off Perpignan 24-20, Lyon won 31-27 at the Stade Gerland over Pau, second-placed Stade Francais blanked Brive 27-0 at the Stade Jean-Bouin, Toulon claimed a 28-20 home victory over Castres at the Felix Mayol and Clermont and Bordeaux drew 23-all at the Stade Michelin.
